Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology

All About Our "Ology" Collections

Archaeology:

The artifacts in the archeology collection are primarily from sites in the Texas Panhandle, though it also includes pottery from the American Southwest. The collection represents over 13,000 years of human occupation, and the artifacts date to Paleoindian, Archaic, Woodland, Plains Village, Protohistoric, and Historic times. Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers excavated numerous Antelope Creek Culture sites from 1938-1941, and these materials are curated at PPHM. Information and maps about several archaeological site locations in the region are not available elsewhere. Finally, PPHM serves as a repository for Held-In-Trust collections from numerous state and federal agencies. If you are interested in conducting research on these collections, please contact the Department of Archaeology.

Biology:

The PPHS biology collection includes natural history mounts and taxidermy, avian, comparative vertebrate osteology, herbarium, and entomology collections. Many of the individual specimens originated in the Panhandle-Plains area and represent both historical and endangered species. In addition, there is a large seashell collection with shells from around the world. These zoological specimens are available for research study and university instruction. For more information, please contact the Department of Archaeology.

Geology:

The geology collection at PPHM is relatively small and reflects the limited variety of rocks that crop out in the Texas Panhandle. Many of the objects are hand specimens that represent and document the mineral sites in the Panhandle. PPHM and WTAMU personnel collected them over several years. Donated rock and mineral collections are notable in that they provide specimens from interested collectors, which would not typically be acquired otherwise. These include a meteorite collection and a collection of replica gems and minerals. If you are interested in conducting research, please contact the Department of Archaeology.

Paleontology

The paleontology collection at PPHM reflects the fossil diversity recovered from the Texas Panhandle. Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers recovered a large portion of the collection during the late 1930s and early 1940s. These assemblages are Triassic and Miocene through Pleistocene in age. The oldest fossils in the region are approximately 225 million years old and are recovered from the Tecovas and Trujillo formations. The vertebrate fossils include phytosaurs, metoposaurus, coelacanths, as well as the teeth of occasional lungfish. Late Tertiary Period rocks of the Ogallala Formation, which was deposited during the late Miocene and Pliocene about 10 to 2 million years ago, have produced impressive fossil vertebrate remains. Three Land Mammal Ages are defined by the faunas from the Texas Panhandle (Clarendonian, Hemphillian, and Blancan). If you are interested in conducting research on these collections, please contact the Department of Archaeology.